Chicagoans are bracing for a winter wallop today as the city is lashed with snow showers and bouts of freezing rain, according to the National Weather Service. The onslaught of wintry conditions is expected to continue into the early evening, making travel precarious and encouraging residents to stay indoors. The Weather Service forecasts a high near 30 degrees with gusty north northeast winds adding to the chill, and an 80% chance of precipitation spells a certainty for snowfall, accumulating one to two inches through the day.
Some school closures and numerous delays have already been reported, affecting not just Chicago but neighboring communities where lake-effect snow doesn't discriminate between city bounds and the quieter suburban streets, in addition to the snow, there are also pockets of freezing drizzle that only exacerbate slick surfaces and already dicey travel conditions, FOX 32 Chicago reports. The forecast tonight expects more snow showers, likely before midnight, and temperatures dipping to around 18 degrees, with northnorthwest winds keeping the real feel colder than the mercury suggests.
Looking ahead, the rest of the week does not offer much respite with temperatures hovering in the mid-20s for highs and teens for lows; the wind chill factor will undoubtedly make it feel much colder, particularly in areas where a thicker snowpack is present from the ongoing flurries. While there is a small chance of light snow predicted for Friday, there are no major storms on the horizon, nor is there any hint of the winter grip easing — meaning Chicagoans should be prepared for a chilly continuation of the season.
As for advice to the wind-bitten populace, prepare for what's ahead: layer up, keep an emergency kit in your car—especially if travel cannot be avoided—and maintain a shovel and salt on hand to manage the icy clutches of January.
